Prop – The Lucy Room

Finger Cots Worn by Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy “The Audition” Episode

“The Audition” was filmed on October 12, 1951, a mere three days before the official television premiere of I Love Lucy. This was the sixth episode of the show where Lucy Ricardo replaces a clown named Buffo for an act at Ricky’s club. Lucy is referred to as “the professor” and is dressed in an oversized blue suit who plays the cello.

This act was initially conceived by the Arnazes along with Pepito & Joanne Perez as part of a vaudeville style act Lucy and Desi used, touring the country proving to CBS audiences across America would accept them. They also used the skit for the I Love Lucy pilot.

Part of Lucy’s costume were these cotton finger cots. Each used to cover the fingers of her left hand as she takes them off in dramatic fashion to the beat of the drum. The entire costume was originally on display at Universal Studios Hollywood ‘Lucy A Tribute’ exhibit for over 20 years. The rest of the outfit is now displayed alongside the prop cello in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY at the Lucy-Desi Museum.

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Babalu, CBS, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Shown Worn, Television, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyTags: CBS, Cello, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, Fred Mertz, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Lucy Ricardo, Pilot, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Screen Used, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Universal Studios, Vaudeville, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Handwritten Postcard to Prop Master Kenny Westcott

While vacationing on the Island of Hawaii in June of 1973, Lucille Ball and Gary Morton sent Kenny Westcott and his wife Betty this postcard from the Manua Kea Beach Hotel. Lucy simply writes:

“Dear Betty and Kenny – This place is heavenly! See you soon – Love Lucy & Gary”

Kenneth Westcott first worked at MGM’s commissary when he was in high school during the late 1930’s, then joined the Navy before the start of World War II. Following his service to the US, Kenny went back to work at MGM becoming the second assitant property master and then did a brief stint at Hal Roach Studios before going back to MGM. Around this time he first started working with Lucille Ball on her new series The Lucy Show, continuing onto Here’s Lucy. In between these shows and after, he worked on Lucy’s other films and specials. Kenny was responsible for all the props for every scene of every show or movie.

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, George Cukor, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, Lucille Ball, MGM, Movie, Paramount, Personal, Prop, The Lucy ShowTags: Friendship, Gone With The Wind, Handwritten, Hawaii, Here's Lucy, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, MGM, Note, Paramount, Personal, Postcard, Prop, Signed, The Lucy Show Leave a comment

Gold Serpent Bracelet worn by Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance & Lucie Arnaz

It is amazing to see costumes and props being utilized multiple times. This brass serpent bracelet is one such item that spanned the course of two decades and three different Lucille Ball series. It was first seen on Vivian Vance’s (Ethel Mertz) arm in the I Love Lucy episode “Charm School” from season 3 which aired on January 25, 1954. Then Lucy Carmichael wore it on the first episode of season 2 of The Lucy Show – “Lucy Plays Cleopatra” that aired on September 30, 1963. Several years later it makes a final appearance on Lucie Arnaz’s arm, on the season 2 Here’s Lucy episode “Lucy and the Generation Gap” airing on December 8, 1969.

May 25, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Jewelry, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Personal, Prop, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy Show, Vivian VanceTags: Bracelet, Brass, Costume, Gold, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Prop, Screen Worn, Serpent, The Lucy Show, Vivian Vance Leave a comment

Ethel Mertz Passport Photo From I Love Lucy

The fifth season of I Love Lucy brought the Ricardo’s and Mertz’s to Europe. In preparation for this overseas adventure they all need to get passports. After getting their photos taken, Lucy and Ethel are horrified by they way they turned out. The scene in “Staten Island Ferry” when they first get a glimpse of these atrocities, Ethel’s photo is facing the camera only for a moment after taking it out of the envelope.

Presented here is THE photo that made Ethel screech – a 3″ x 3″ black and white image of a ‘caught off guard’ Ethel Mertz. It has been matted and framed to measure 9″ x 9″ overall. The look on Vivian Vance’s face is priceless and it is amazing the prop department took actual photos of them to use which may never have been noticed by viewers. What is even more incredible is the fact this little piece of TV history still exists.

September 17, 2022August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Prop, Television, Vivian VanceTags: Desi Arnaz, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Passports, Photo, Prop, Screen Used, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment